Scan barcode
musicalpopcorn's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book follows the story of a former enslaved man who becomes a samurai.
While the content of this book isn’t generally something I have much interest in, I was captivated by the writing and read the whole book. This book painted vivid pictures of Yasuke’s journey and life. I felt like I could imagine the things he was seeing.
The story wasn’t very exciting. It was definitely a slow burn that was more reflective than action-packed as you would expect in a book about soldiers and war. It still held my interest and I am glad I read it.
While the content of this book isn’t generally something I have much interest in, I was captivated by the writing and read the whole book. This book painted vivid pictures of Yasuke’s journey and life. I felt like I could imagine the things he was seeing.
The story wasn’t very exciting. It was definitely a slow burn that was more reflective than action-packed as you would expect in a book about soldiers and war. It still held my interest and I am glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, War, Suicide, Slavery, and Confinement
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Colonisation, Death, Classism, and Rape
alexiareviews's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve read and watched multiple accounts concerning Oda Nobunaga’s life and his almost successful journey in conquering/unifying Japan. Usually, they leave out Yasuke’s involvement. “The African Samurai” is brutal and painful. My heart really hurts for the people in this era and any other periods where humans show that they are indeed beasts. Please read the authors note after finishing the book as a couple of events were altered to make the pacing work. I highly recommend everyone to read this book and check out Japanese and African history.
analogn's review
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
bookish_olga's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
"The African Samurai" is an extraordinary journey through history, weaving together the remarkable tale of a slave who defied the odds to become a legendary Japanese samurai. Set in the late 16th century, amidst the tumultuous backdrop of Africa, India, and Japan, Craig Shreve's novel introduces us to Yasuke, a young African boy sold into slavery and forced to endure the horrors of war.
Shreve's prose is both vivid and haunting, transporting readers to distant lands and immersing them in the struggles and triumphs of his characters. From the brutality of slavery to the intricacies of Japanese politics, "The African Samurai" is a gripping saga of resilience and redemption.
At the heart of the novel is Yasuke's journey of self-discovery, as he rises from a mere soldier to a revered samurai in the service of Oda Nobunaga, Japan's most powerful warlord. Through Yasuke's eyes, we witness the complexities of feudal Japan and the moral dilemmas faced by those caught in the midst of violence and upheaval.
Shreve's meticulous research shines through in his portrayal of historical figures and events, breathing life into the enigmatic world of 16th-century Japan. While some liberties may have been taken with the facts, the essence of Yasuke's story remains intact, offering readers a glimpse into a lesser-known chapter of history. "The African Samurai" is a poignant exploration of identity, courage, and the enduring human spirit. As Yasuke grapples with his past and embraces his newfound role as a samurai, we are reminded of the resilience of the human soul in the face of adversity.
Intriguing, suspenseful, and deeply moving, "The African Samurai" is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring legacy of one man's extraordinary journey. Shreve's masterful narrative had me hooked from the very first page, and it didn't let go until the very end. As I turned the final page, I found myself lingering on the story, unable to shake off its profound impact. It's the kind of book that stays with you, lingering in your thoughts and emotions long after you've finished reading.
qjbrown96's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
My love for samurai history began when I watched Tom Cruise’s “The Last Samurai”. I promptly googled to see if the movie was based on a true story, which made me scroll across Yasuke, the black samurai. Unfortunately there is very little material to go off of in his life since tribal cultures of any kind use oral histories instead of written, which obviously are going to be skewed or vanished after 500+ years.
This book is pretty entertaining but it has several historical inaccuracies and information which are entirely speculation or imagination, which the author to his credit tells you at the end of the book. The author imagines what Yakuze would have thought or gone through coming from an African tribe, going to war for the Portuguese against the Ottomans, being the guard of Jesuit priest, being a samurai and friend to one the most famous Japanese warlords, to finally having freedom.
SOFT SPOILERS:
Some of my biggest issues with the historical inaccuracies are the fact that he gets kidnapped by Portuguese (white people) and enslaved. That narrative fits perfectly with Hollywood movies and pop culture, it’s definitely possible but knowing how slavery works in Africa it’s far more likely that he was enslaved by Africans and then sold to the Portuguese but there is no evidence to back any of these claims up.
There are also several instances of historical people dying and the author has depicted them dying at an incorrect time or the person who killed someone was not actually the person who did it.
My love for samurai history began when I watched Tom Cruise’s “The Last Samurai”. I promptly googled to see if the movie was based on a true story, which made me scroll across Yasuke, the black samurai. Unfortunately there is very little material to go off of in his life since tribal cultures of any kind use oral histories instead of written, which obviously are going to be skewed or vanished after 500+ years.
This book is pretty entertaining but it has several historical inaccuracies and information which are entirely speculation or imagination, which the author to his credit tells you at the end of the book. The author imagines what Yakuze would have thought or gone through coming from an African tribe, going to war for the Portuguese against the Ottomans, being the guard of Jesuit priest, being a samurai and friend to one the most famous Japanese warlords, to finally having freedom.
SOFT SPOILERS:
Some of my biggest issues with the historical inaccuracies are the fact that he gets kidnapped by Portuguese (white people) and enslaved. That narrative fits perfectly with Hollywood movies and pop culture, it’s definitely possible but knowing how slavery works in Africa it’s far more likely that he was enslaved by Africans and then sold to the Portuguese but there is no evidence to back any of these claims up.
There are also several instances of historical people dying and the author has depicted them dying at an incorrect time or the person who killed someone was not actually the person who did it.
athos's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
0ri's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
romonko's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
From this book, a most uniquely hero emerges. This book is the best I've read this year for sure. It is a story about real-life happenings and based on actual historical figures. It is set in 17 century Japan, and is told in the first-person by Yasuke, the first foreign-born Samurai and the only Samurai who was of African descent. Yasuke, who we first come to know as Isaac, was taken from his home village by slave traders at the age of thirteen. Even at that age he was very big for his age. His village was sacked and burned and only those few that the traders knew would fetch a good prize at auction were saved. As the story progresses with Yasuke's life in Japan, we learn of his early days in bondage where he was tortured, beaten and starved, and forced to fight in Portuguese mercenary wars. He was sold again to Jesuits and became the bodyguard of a priest whose mission was to bring Catholicism to Japan. Yasuke learns a lot from this Jesuit priest. He can speak many languages, and learns his numbers and letters (albeit in Latin). But when, for reasons of his own, his priest decides to give Yasuke to the warlord Oda Nobunaga for the promise of a church to be built in Kyoto. Yasuke strikes up a close friendship with Nobunaga, and is granted his freedom and the post of Samurai in Nobunaga's unified Japan. There Yasuke learns the meaning of loyalty and friendship and vows to serve his lord until the end. "Who does not know the order that our flesh should serve to repay kindness, and life should serve for bonds and moral obligations?"--from The Noh play Tomoe. Yasuke fights almost to the death to preserve the memory and legacy of his Lord, and he does this because of the lessons that he has learned in his court and the friendship that they had. "Until the lion has its own storyteller, the hunter will have the better story"--African proverb. This book is told from the viewpoint of the "lion", and Yasuke, through Craig Shreve, is his storyteller. This book enthralled me from beginning to end, and Craig Shreve's writing is absolutely exquisite. Because the story is told in the first-person, it made the tale more realistic and it actually felt like I was there. Many lessons can be learned from Yasuke's journey. Highly recommend.
bibliokatie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
hayleym24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5